20 Incredible John Cena Matches To Binge-Watch Before He Retires

The rise of Roman Reigns and The Bloodline has done wonders for the legacy of some incredibly underrated superstars. The retrospective love for Afa and Sika, The Wild Samoans, has been great, but Umaga getting his flowers has seen him avoid becoming one of the most overlooked talents of the 2000s. A two-time Intercontinental Champion, Umaga's physically imposing frame and in-ring aggression were the perfect tonic for one of John Cena's most grueling battles in a Last Man Standing match at the 2007 Royal Rumble.

As Cena entered the contest with his ribs taped up, Umaga dominated the early exchanges, with Jim Ross doing a superb job of selling the ferocity of the giant Samoan. After failing to take John out early with a Samoan Spike, this match descends into absolute chaos, with steel steps being used in eye-watering fashion (including Cena launching the steps from the ring to Umaga on the outside). Cena's head is split wide open, as he bled viscerally after a failed AA attempt onto the steps, in one of the most striking and violent images of John's career.

Following broken tables and TV monitor head shots, John Cena would win the match in equally extreme fashion. With Umaga's manager, Armando Alejandro Estrada, removing the top rope, John would take Umaga to the ground before choking him out with the ring rope to seal the victory.